Lassie
Lassie App
LassieFree pet care app

What to do when your puppy bites everything in your home

Did you know that the puppy's way of exploring the world is through its mouth? That's why it bites and tastes everything. Their mouth can be likened to human hands, if the puppy wants to grab or hold something it uses its mouth. It's perfectly normal for your puppy to bite or chew on everything around them at this age - your puppy is simply curious about the world around them!

Do this for the puppy that bites

Something you need to do to prepare for puppy chewing is to puppy-proof your home, remove anything you are afraid of and anything that could be dangerous for your dog to chew or taste. Puppy proofing your home is the key to preventing your puppy from getting hurt. For example, think about cords, curtains, potted plants, rugs and toys. Anything you don't want your puppy to chew on should be out of your puppy's reach.

Another thing you can do to prepare for puppy chewing is to make sure your puppy has an exciting selection of toys. Take out a few toys at a time, replacing them with other toys so that the toys are always perceived as new and fun for the dog. For a dog that likes to chew, chew bones are also good. Buy chews that are adapted to your puppy's size and that have the right amount of chewing resistance.

What not to do when your puppy chews

Chewing is a phase that should pass. When your puppy is chewing on something, be careful not to distract the dog's behaviour by offering something extra fun like a toy or treat, this can create a problem as the dog may accidentally learn that if it bites on things in the home, you will come and offer a fun game or treat. You should also not punish the behaviour, if you get angry and raise your voice or grab the neck skin you risk scaring the puppy. You don't teach a dog what it can and can't chew by getting angry.

If the puppy does find something less suitable to chew on, it's important to stay calm. Walk slowly towards the dog while talking to the puppy and bring a normal toy to focus on. When the puppy becomes curious about what you are doing and lets go of the unauthorised item, say "thank you" and in reward give the dog the toy you brought. In this way you show the dog what is okay to chew on. It is important that the toy you bring is something that is always available, not a treat.

Our app for Android and iOS

Level Up Your Pet Care Game: Get Our FREE App Now!

Packed with 300+ articles by certified vets and pet experts, our app it's your go-to resource for personalised advice on caring for your cat or dog. The more you learn, the happier and healthier your furry friend becomes and the more points you'll earn for exclusive discounts on Lassie products. Your pet's well-being is just a tap away! 📲🐾
Appstore
Google Play

More articles